Flexible interlocking mating tape fastener

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a new interlocking mating tape fastener consisting of a flexible fastening strip of preselectable length adapted to be wrapped around various articles, The invention also relates to a new interlocking tape fastener having a top surface and a bottom surface. The invention further relates to a new interlocking tape fastener that includes a plurality of male protrusions projecting from the top surface, and further includes a plurality of female fastening openings located on both surfaces of the fastening strip. Additionally, the female fastening openings located on the first major surface are located next to at least one of the male protrusions for providing an interlocking mating pattern. Furthermore, at least one male protrusion is interlocked to at least one female fastening opening located on the bottom surface when wrapped around an article for fastening purposes.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/915,058, A Flexible Interlocking Mating Tape Fastener, filed on Dec. 12, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fastening tape. More specifically, the invention relates to interlocking fastening tape using a mating pattern design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro (as taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,717,437 and 3,009,235) are in common, every day use; but they still have important deficiencies. For instance, the hooks can snag fabrics or other materials that are not intended to be target substrates; the hooks can accumulate hair, dust, lint and fur after a few months of regular use; the hooks can be rough against bare skin; and the hook-and-loop composite is a relatively thick laminate, and can he conspicuous, e.g., in clothing applications. The loops on the hook-and-loop fasteners can also become elongated or broken after extended use; the loop material, especially in robust constructions, can be relatively costly; opening or unfastening hook-and-loop fasteners can cause detachment of loops from their substrates, with a consequent generation of particulate debris; and the potential for particulate debris in hook-and-loop fasteners precludes their use in certain areas where debris is destructive. Further, hook-and-loop fasteners tend to absorb moisture which can substantially affect the performance of these types of fasteners when used outdoors for purposes such as gardening, farming, agriculture use, crop growing or the like.

A wide variety of different fasteners have been taught as alternatives or replacements for hook-and-loop fasteners, including molded and extruded articles from which headed, interengaging elements protrude for self-mating, i.e., fastening is accomplished by interengaging fastener units of identical shape. Likewise, efforts to provide new fasteners include efforts to provide new reclosable fastener products that could replace common bundling products such as cable ties. Some examples of such prior art efforts are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,164,697; 3,586,220; 4,169,303; 4,215,687; 4,684,559; 4,706,914; 4,963,410; and 5,177,986. But most of the suggested products include fastening structures that are bulky and two-part in nature, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or male-female fastener pairs, which tend to be too expensive for many applications and to have other significant disadvantages. Other suggested products are inadequate in peel strength or in other properties that are desired for a bundling use.

Another group of related patents describe fasteners that include cable ties, which are commonly used for bundling objects. Cable ties are also known by different names such as zip strips, zip ties and wire ties. A cable tie consists of a sturdy nylon tape with an integrated gear rack, and on one end a ratchet within a small open case. Once the pointed tip of the cable tie has been pulled through the case and past the ratchet, it is prevented from being pulled back; the resulting loop may only be pulled tighter. This is a major disadvantage of this type of technology because once the strip is inserted and then tightened; it is not possible to loosen it, making the grip forever. In no case can it be loosened, and if you need to open the cable tie for any reason you will have to cut it and replace it with a new cable tie. Hence, cable ties are for one time use only and are not reusable.

A further group of related patents describe fasteners which include functional surfaces with patterns of interlocking elements. The interlocking elements have contoured heads in a variety of shapes which fit into cavities between the base or stem of the complimentary functional surface of the fastener. Normally these fasteners are self-mating and often the headed portion of the elements is larger in diameter or a cross section than the space between heads on the complimentary functional surface. Examples of this type of fastener are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,499,898 (Anderson), U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,589 (Pearson), U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,113 (Flanagan. Jr.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,705 (Kayser et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,570 (Gershenson). U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,805, which discloses the use of hollow-headed interacting elements, is a variation of this type of approach. All of these fasteners based on the mechanical interaction of a multiplicity of elements function by fitting an expanded region of an element on one functional surface into a seat or cavity which is a reduced cross-section or restricted pocket on the complementary functional surface. The joining of this type of fastener is normally associated with a single or double snap as the fastener is engaged.

Another type of mechanical fastener that is self-mating and has a multiplicity of intermeshing solid protrusions is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,259 (Appeldorn). Fasteners of the type described in Appeldorn do not make use of interacting elements with expanded heads. Rather, the bond between the complementary functional surfaces of the fastener is due to frictional forces generated between contacting surfaces of the intermeshing protrusions on each of the functional surfaces. The sides of the intermeshing protrusions consist of optically smooth flats. Examples of other fasteners of this type may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,363 (Reylek et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,164 (Wilson et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,555 (Wilson et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,101 (Rouser et al.).

Because of the wide variety of potential applications for fasteners, there is a continuing demand for new fasteners having enhanced performance with regard to a wide variety of factors. Those factors include the number of closures, engagement and disengagement forces, noise, relative movement, between fastener surfaces, washability, resistance to soiling or contamination, resistance to moisture or dusty environments, reusability making the fastener environmentally friendly, stretchable making the fastener in an agricultural setting easily adaptable to the growth of a plant and the level of load or shear stress the fastener will support. Accordingly, there is a continued need for the development of fasteners having enhanced properties with regard to one or more of these factors that will also satisfy requirements concerning ease of manufacture and constraints on cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a new interlocking mating tape fastener, which comprises a simple one piece flexible fastening strip of preselectable length. having a top surface and a bottom surface. The flexible fastening strip is adapted to be wrapped around various article(s) to bind the article(s) so that they are out of the way of a user for various reasons especially when used in an outdoor environment.

In one embodiment of the present invention the flexible fastening strip includes a plurality of male protrusions projecting from the top surface in column form, and further includes a plurality of female fastening openings located on both surfaces of the fastening strip in column form for receiving the male protrusions. Moreover, the female fastening openings located on the top surface of the embodiments are located next to at least one of the male protrusions for providing an interlocking mating pattern that has countless applications and/or uses. Additionally, at least one male protrusion of the disclosed embodiments is interlocked to at least one female fastening opening located on the bottom surface when wrapped around an article for fastening purposes. Further, the male protrusions do not have to fit entirely through the female openings to achieve the intent of the invention which is to fasten an article,

In another embodiment, the female fastener comprises a cavity having a soft pliable indentation and a male protrusion having a soft pliable ridge at the tip for holding the fastening strip in place by interference fit. In an alternate embodiment, the female fastener comprises just a simple cavity and a male protrusion for holding the fastening strip in place by interference fit.

The present invention also provides for a new interlocking mating tape fastener consisting of lightweight material having a one piece assembly that is strong, durable and reliable.

The present invention additionally provides for a new interlocking mating tape fastener that can be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

The present invention as well provides for a new interlocking mating tape fastener that can be cut to a predetermined length required by a user and can consist of various colors for an assortment of decorative uses.

The present invention further provides a new interlocking mating tape fastener that is reusable and requires no additional adhesives making the device none-sticky.

An even further feature of the present invention is to provide a new, low-cost interlocking mating tape fastener that is fast and easy to assemble and use.

An yet a further feature of the present invention is to provide a new interlocking mating tape fastener that is compact for storage purposes.

Accordingly, for a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the various uses attained by the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus showing how the apparatus can be assembled a .1 wrapped around an article for fastening purposes. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus showing how the apparatus can be assembled and wrapped around an article for fastening purposes. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus showing how the apparatus can be assembled and wrapped around an article for fastening purposes. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female fastening openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 60 and for the plurality of female cavities 70 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a further embodiment of the interlocking mating tape fastener apparatus showing how the apparatus can be assembled for fastening purposes. The shapes depicted in the drawing for the plurality of male protrusions 60 and for the plurality of female cavities 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, and 9-11, there is illustrated a new interlocking mating tape fastener, which comprises a simple one piece flexible fastening strip 100 of predetermined length as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, and 9-11, having a top surface 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, and 9, and a bottom surface 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 10. Moreover, the shapes depicted in the referenced drawings (i.e., FIGS. 1-12) for the plurality of male protrusions 10 and for the plurality of female openings 20 are for illustrative purposes only and can comprise other shapes (e.g., FIGS. 5-7 and FIGS. 9-11) and still achieve the intent of the claimed invention.

The flexible fastening strip 100 includes a plurality of male protrusions 30 projecting from the top surface 10 in column form as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and further includes a plurality of female fastening openings 20 located on both surfaces of the fastening strip in column form as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, and 9-11. Additionally, the female fastening openings 20 located on the top surface 10 are located next to at least one of the male protrusions 30 for providing an interlocking mating pattern that has countless applications and/or uses. Further, at least one male protrusion 30 is interlocked to at least one female fastening opening 20 located on the bottom surface 40 When wrapped around an article for fastening purposes as depicted in FIGS. 4, 8 and 12. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 8 and 12, an interlock connection 50 is achieved, forming a wrap 200 for fastening purposes, when at least one male protrusion 30 is interlocked to at least one female fastening opening 20 that is located on the bottom surface 40 of the flexible fastening strip.

Moreover, the flexible fastening strip as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 4-7, and 9-11 is adapted to be wrapped around various article(s) such as shrubs, vegetation, leaves, thorny bushes, or the like to bind the article(s) so that they are out of the way of a user for various reasons especially when used outdoors for purposes such as gardening, farming, agriculture use, crop growing or the like where the environment can be dusty and/or wet.

Furthermore, the flexible fastening strip as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 4-7, and 9-11 can be made out of metal like material and/or out of various flexible materials such as plastic, rubber, nylon, leather, elastic material, etc., to form a wrap in order to bind, an article while still achieving the intent of the invention. The invention also allows a user to bind an article without scratching or damaging it because the fastening strip is not made of sticky material; allowing the invention to be applied directly to an object. Likewise, the flexible fastening strip can be made of various colors for aesthetic purposes, i.e., allowing a user to employ the invention without it becoming an eyesore,

Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 13-14, there is a flexible fastening strip 100 that is adapted to include female fasteners comprising cavities 70 having soft pliable indentations and male protrusions 60 having soft pliable ridges at the tip. The flexible fastening strip 100 as illustrated in FIG, 14 is adapted for holding the fastening strip 100 in place by an interlock connection 80 when wrapped around an article for fastening purposes. Similarly, the flexible fastening strip 100 can also comprise just simple cavities and male protrusions for holding the fastening strip in place while still achieving the intent of the invention.

The various embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice and use the invention and are exemplary of the fact that other arrangements may be employed in practicing the invention which has been set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or illustrated drawings set forth herein for descriptive purposes, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including a full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interlocking mating tape fastener comprising: a flexible fastening strip of preselectable length having a top surface and a bottom surface; the flexible fastening strip adapted to be wrapped around at least one article, thereby enabling the article to be fastened, and having a plurality of male protrusions projecting from the top surface in column form; the flexible fastening strip further having a plurality of female fastening openings located on both surfaces of the fastening strip in column form, wherein the female fastening openings disposed on the top surface are also located next to at least one of the male protrusions, thereby enabling the flexible fastening strip to provide an interlocking mating pattern; and wherein at least one male protrusion is interlocked to at least one female fastening opening located on the bottom surface when wrapped around an article for fastening purposes.
 2. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener can be made of flexible like metal material.
 3. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener can be made of various flexible materials selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, nylon, leather and elastic.
 4. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener consists of various colors for an assortment of decorative purposes.
 5. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener openings are of various shapes.
 6. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the protruding notches are of various shapes.
 7. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the tape fastener is reusable.
 8. An interlocking mating tape fastener according to claim 1, wherein the tape fastener requires no adhesive.
 9. A interlocking mating tape comprising: a binding strip of predetermined length having a first major surface and a second major surface; the binding strip adapted to be wrapped around at least one article to bind the article and having a plurality of protruding notches projecting from the first major surface in column form; the binding strip further having a plurality of fastening holes located on both surfaces of the binding strip in column form, wherein the fastening holes located on the first major surface are located next to at least one of the protruding notches for providing an interlocking mating pattern; and wherein at least one protruding notch is interlocked when wrapped, to at least one fastening hole located on the second major surface for binding an article.
 10. A interlocking mating tape comprising: a binding strip of predetermined length having a first major surface and a second major surface; the binding strip adapted to be wrapped around at least one article to bind the article and having a plurality of protruding notches projecting from the first major surface in column form; the binding strip further having a plurality of cavities disposed on the first major surface or the second major surface, wherein the cavities are disposed next to each other in column form for providing an interlocking mating pattern; and wherein at least one protruding notch is interlocked when wrapped, to at least one cavity located on the first or second major surface for binding an article. 